Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jason allowed himself to get lost in Cece’s touch. In how her lips explored his own. This was more than he thought was possible. Horses never lied to him.
But people? He trusted animals more than people. Most of the time he liked horses way more than he liked people.
That wasn’t the case with Cece.
When he was with her everything made sense. She made him want things he didn’t think were feasible, but it was more than that. She made him believe in the impossible. She made him want to be better, to take what he wanted, and revel in the joy that brought.
He crowded her as their kiss deepened and one thought became ever more clear.
Jason wasn’t going to let her go. He wasn’t going to let her walk away from this connection.
She’d shown her cards. She’d given him all the proof he needed.
Cece wanted to stay in Rocky Ridge. Not just for him.
She loved it here for so many reasons, not the least of which was a newfound independence.
With the right support, she’d have everything she could ever dream of and he’d be right there by her side to make it happen.
Unable to describe it even to himself, Jason only knew that the moment she’d opened up to him, she’d unleashed the floodgates holding him back.
Jason cradled her face in his hands, drinking her in as he reveled in his newfound understanding. They fit. It was more than simple chemistry. It was their life goals and how they viewed the world. She belonged with him and he with her.
The sound of a latch disengaging was the first thing to shatter the magic bubble that surrounded them both.
Cece froze beneath his touch, the only movement her breathing, loud in the hallway.
But the second the door to his back opened and surprise then concern flickered madly in her eyes, he knew he needed to release her fully.
Straightening, Jason dropped his hands to his sides and turned around to come face to face with an older gentleman. Not just any guy, though.
“Hi, Dad,” Cecelia murmured.
Out of the corner of his eye, Cecelia was making herself acceptable.
She touched her lips and straightened her dress.
Then she stepped away from Jason. He couldn’t blame her.
The man in question was imposing. But then he probably didn’t rise to his current status without carrying a certain air about him.
Cece fidgeted, her eyes bouncing from her father to Jason and back. But before she could introduce them, Jason stepped forward.
He lifted his chin and held out his hand in offering. “Good evening, sir. I’m Jason.”
The man eyed Jason’s hand for a moment then he accepted.
His handshake was firm, but not dangerously so.
It was how he looked at the two of them that put Jason on edge.
It was the look a protective father wore.
Not necessarily menacing, but there was a degree of judgment in his gray eyes.
“You can call me Mr. Williams,” he murmured.
He was similar to his daughter in one way and one way alone.
That assessing stare.
This man knew how to read people. Luckily, Jason didn’t have anything to hide.
Mr. Williams turned to his daughter as if to dismiss Jason entirely. “Is he who you’ve been spending all your time with?”
Cecelia practically bristled.
Okay, that wasn’t fair to say.
Anyone who knew Cecelia well would have been able to pick up on the set of her shoulders and the twitch to her cheek. But those who didn’t have the pleasure would have seen a calm and composed woman who knew how to handle men like her father with ease.
“He’s one of them, yes. I’ve made a few friends here in town.”
“Friends?” Mr. Williams drawled.
As Jason watched them interact, he noticed how different Cece was around her father. She didn’t cower, but it was clear she craved her father’s acceptance. She wanted to make him proud.
“Cecelia,” Mr. Williams said, “while I appreciate your willingness to meet and get to know the people here, I’d hardly call them friends. Do they know what your job is?”
Her cheeks flushed and Jason stepped forward. “With all due respect, sir. Cece’s job doesn’t matter. It’s who she is as a person.”
Cece turned wide eyes to him. He couldn’t tell if she was trying to warn him or if it was something else. Either way, he wasn’t affected by her expression in the slightest.
“Is that so?” Mr. Williams puffed out his chest. “And what do you think most of these people would think if they knew she was trying to find weaknesses in the town’s community that we can use to our advantage?
There’s no better way to figure out how to spin a change than to find out what makes people tick. ”
Cece gasped, but Jason was undeterred. “The folks in this town are allowed to have their opinions on how the properties are developed when it will affect their livelihoods. Many will agree on the same issues. But their opinions on how the land should be developed will stop there. None of us would judge a butcher for his career path. Even if we focus on caring for and training animals. It’s a job that must be done.
As is hers.” This was more than he’d spoken to someone in a long while.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d clung to a stance so firmly.
Not even the prospect of that land being developed was as important as what he was fighting for right now.
Mr. Williams’s eyes narrowed. “You live in a fairytale, son. Whether you want to accept it or not, people don’t think the same way you do.
The only individuals in this town who won’t kick us to the curb are those who want this change to take place.
The second everything passes and there’s an obvious divide, there will be a witch hunt. Mark my words.”
“If you truly believe that, then you know nothing about this community and what we stand for.” Jason turned toward Cece and gave her a nod, softer now and hopefully enough to ease the worry written all over her face. “Thank you for tonight, Cece. I’ll text you.”
She blinked and it almost looked as though she was about to step toward him, but she didn’t. Her eyes softened, and he could have sworn she was fighting a smile. The next time they were alone, he’d see if he could get more of a response. He hated seeing her nervous or unsure of herself.
Right now, he wanted nothing more than to scoop her into his arms and kiss her one last time to reassure them both that everything would be okay. But that wasn’t going to happen with her father standing mere feet away.
“Goodnight, Jason,” she whispered.
He nodded again then turned on his heel and headed for the elevator.
Meeting her father hadn’t been in the plans for tonight, but it could have gone worse. At least the man didn’t make security march him off the premises.